Year off in Åland changed Annamaija Varjonen's life
Bridal service saleswoman focused on art hobby
By Annakaisa Pirilä-Mänttäri
Annamaija Varjonen returned to her job at the bridal service of Helsinki’s Stockmann’s department store two weeks ago after a year-long job rotation leave.
Between the display cases, Varjonen rearranges the shining white bridal gowns like the professional that she is. The one-year break brought a welcome distance to her work, and helped her enhance the patience that she needs for her customers. At age 40, Varjonen notes that her practice of yoga, which became a regular activity during her year off, also helps her body withstand the physical strain of her job.
In the 1980s Varjonen graduated as a professional clothing designer at the University of Art and Design. The clothing industry was in a state of decline, and work in the field was not easily available. The clothing designer applied for a sales job at Stockmann’s and has remained with the store.
"Having an eye for clothing design is useful in this work."
Varjonen’s art hobby had been pushed into the background for years. However, now she has spent five summer vacations painting on the island of Kökar in the Åland Islands. Painting was an important reason why she wanted to take a break in her work.
Varjonen’s employer proposed a study leave, but she decided to opt for job rotation. The beginning of her time off was postponed somewhat when her intended substitute cancelled, and a new one had to be found.
Varjonen also studied. In the autumn she began her studies at the Free Art School. The postponement of her job rotation leave meant that she had to strike a balance between work and her art studies. From November she has been able to concentrate fully on her painting.
Varjonen has also attended a mosaic course in Joutseno, and from July to September she painted in Åland. She would cycle around the area with a pad in her hand looking for landscapes to put on paper.
One of the luxuries of the job rotation scheme for Varjonen is that she is able to browse through her local library at her own pace. She also had time to look after the children of her relatives.
Money was a bit tight, though.
"I ended up with half of what I normally earned. It really took an effort to keep expenses under control."
While in Åland, Varjonen earned extra money by working part-time at a marina.
Although she was happy to get back to work at the end of her job rotation leave, Varjonen plans to continue to pursue her art more than before. She agreed with her bosses that she would work only part time in the spring, so that she would have more time for painting.
In May Varjonen will find out if she will be chosen for a three-year art course. If she gets in, she will quit her full time job and focus on her art.
In addition to her painting, Varjonen longs to spend more time in Åland.
"There is a small cottage in Kökar where I would like to live."
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 1.12.2004
More on this subject:
 Leisure time has become increasingly important
Employers worried about "voluntary unemployment" trend
FACTFILE: Nearly 90,000 availed themselves of job rotation benefit
Helsingin Sanomat
|
|
